Fluid circulating film handling reel and tank



A. R. SEELEY May 20, 1958 FLUID CIRCULATING FILM HANDLING REEL AND TANKFiled Dec. 14, 1953 Illlla 51 HIM- n 5 INVENTOR. A4 8597 R. 555.45g BYUnited States Patent FLUID CIRCULATING FILM HANDLING REEL AND TANK Thisinvention is concerned with a film developing tank and is moreparticularly concerned with a reel which directs or circulates fluidsover the film handled thereby. It is a general object of this inventionto provide an improved film developing reel which is of simple,practical construction and which is inexpensive of manufacture.

It is an object of this invention to provide a film handling reel of thecharacter referred to which directs or circulates fluids over the filmwhich is handled by the reel during the developing process. The reelthat I have provided is particularly advantageous for use during thewashing and/ or drying operations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a fluid circulating filmhandling reel which is adapted to receive flow of fluid under pressureand to direct or circulate the fluid over the film handled by the reelwithout 1- forcing the reel from the container or tank which carries thereel.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a fluidcirculating reel of the character referred to which evenly distributesfluid flow over the film which is handled by the reel so that there isno untouched or unwashed portions on the film.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a film handling reelof the character referred to which materially expedites film developing,washing, and dry ing. With the reel that I have provided the fluids tobe used in processing the film are applied to the reel under pressure,preferably a low pressure, so that there is a substantial flow of fluidwith the result that the time of treatment is materially reduced.

The reel of the present invention is adapted to be inserted into asuitable developing tank, and in the preferred form of the invention thereel is round in configuration and is insertable into a cylindricaltank. The reel may have ample clearance with the tank so that it iseasily and readily inserted or removed from the tank.

The reel that I have provided is characterized by a tubular fluidhandling hub which carries a flange fixed to one end thereof, and amovable flange which is slidably carried at the other end of the hub inspaced relationship with the fixed flange. Film directing means areprovided on the inner faces of the flanges to guide the film onto thereel in spaced relationship. The film directing means involves spirallyconvoluted ribs which are suitably spaced to guide and hold the film inthe desired spaced relationship.

Fluid directing means are provided in the flanges of the reel and arecharacterized by fluid handling ports which allow fluid to flow axiallythrough the flanges of the reel and the film handled thereby. A fluidcirculating means is provided which is adapted to receive the flow offluids from the tubular hub and to direct the fluids laterally andradially to the ports in one of the flanges. The ports in the lowermostor fixed flange re- 2,835,181 Patented May 20, 1958 surfaces. The fluidflows from the reel through the ports in the movable flange and may thenoverflow from the developing tank which carries the reel.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of my invention, throughout whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of a film developing tank carrying the reelthat I have provided, the reel being shown in cross section. Fig. 2 isan enlarged detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the reel asshown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the upper portion ofthe reel taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetailed sectional view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. l,and Fig. 5 is a plan sectional view taken as indicated by line 55 onFig. 2. I

The reel Y that I have provided is adapted to be carried in an ordinarycylindrical film developing tank X. The tank X may have a simple flatcircular bottom element and a vertically disposed cylindrical side wall11. An annular groove 12 may be provided at the top of the wall 11,which groove is adapted to cooperate with a suitable lid in order toform a light seal.

The reel Y of the present invention is adapted to be carried in thecylindrical tank X and involves, generally, a vertically disposedcentral hub A, a flange B fixed to the lower end of the hub A, a flangeC slidably carried by the hub A and opposed to the flange B, filmdirecting means D and D carried by the flanges, fluid directingmeans 5and E carried by the flanges and a fluid circulating means F adapted toreceive the flow of fluid into the reel and direct it to the means E sothat the fluid is circulated evenly over the film handled by the reel.

The hub A is an elongate tubular part concentric with the axis of thereel Y and is adapted to carry the flanges B and C. The hub A isvertically disposed in the tank X and is characterized by a simpletubular body 15. The body 15 has a cylindrical outer wall 16 and has acylindrical inner wall 17 defining a fluid receiving passage whichextends longitudinally through the body. The body 15 of the hub Aterminates in fiat upper and lower ends l8 and 19, respectively, whichare normal to the axis of the reel. As shown in the drawings, the axisof the reel is vertically disposed and the lower end 19 of the body 15occurs near or adjacent to the bottom 10 of the tank X. The body 15projects upwardly within the tank X within close proximity of the top ofthe tank where the inner wall 17 of the body terminates at the upper end18 defining a fluid receiving opening. A key-way 20 extendslongitudinally at one side of the body in the wall 16;

The flange B is a round disc-shaped part that projects radially from thelower end of the body 15 of the hub A in a plane coincidental with theplane of the face 19. The flange B is preferably integral with the hub Aand is characterized by a flat element or plate having spaced parallelinner and outer faces 27 and 28. The plate 25 is round and has aperipheral wall 26 which is concentric with the axis of the reel. Anextension or outer wall. 29 projects downwardly or away from the lowerend 19 of the hub, and an inner wall 30 projects downwardly. or awayfrom the face 28 of the plate 25. The outer and inner walls 29 and'30form a cylindrical rim part 31 which projects axially fromand away fromthe face 28. The rim 31 terminates in a shoulder 32 which is normal tothe axis of the reel.

The flange C is a round disc-shaped part that projects radially from thebody 15 of the hub A at the upper end thereof. The flange C ispreferably slidably carried on the body and is characterized by a flatelement or plate having a round peripheral wall 36 which is concen triowith the axis of the reel, and a central boss 37 which is slidablyengaged over the body 15 of the hub. The boss 37 is a cylindrical partconcentric with and carried by the body 15 and has a cylindrical bore 38which is slidably engaged over the outer wall 16 of the body. The plate35 is preferably integral with and is carried by the boss 37 to projectradially therefrom, from the upper end of the boss. The plate 35 has aninner face 39 opposed to the inner face 27 of the flange B, and has anouter face 40, the faces 39 and 40 being parallel with each other.

An arcuate leaf spring is carried in the key-way 20 and is adapted tokey the flanges B and C against relative rotation, and to hold theflanges C frictionally against movement axially of the hub A. The spring45 frictionally engages the body 15 and has turned ends 46 which retainthe spring on the boss 37 of the flange C. The lower end 46 of thespring 45 is engaged in a notch in the lower end of the boss 37 toprevent rotation of the spring with relation to the boss.

The film directing means D and D are alike, are carried by the flanges Band C, respectively, and are characterized by spirally convoluted ribswhich act to guide the film onto the reel in spaced relationship. A rib50 projects upwardly from the face 27 of the plate 25, while a rib 50projects downwardly from the face 39 of the plate 35. The ribs 50 and50' match or register with each other and progressively spiral outwardlyfrom the center of the reel to the peripheries of the flanges B and C.The convolutions of the ribs are spaced from each other leaving a spiralfilm guiding channel. The ribs 5% and 5t) are maintained in register bymeans of the key 45 which operates in the key-way 20, as abovedescribed.

The fluid directing means E and E are alike, are carried by the flangesB and C, respectively, and are char acterized by a plurality of portsand 55 which extend through the plates 25 and 35 of the flanges B and C,respectively. The ports 55 extend through the plate 25 of the flange B,while the ports 55 extend through the plate 35 of the flange C. Theports may be of any suitable shape and are preferably narrow, elongateslots which are located between the adjacent convolutions of the ribs 50and 50. As shown in the drawings, the ports 55 and 55 may be arranged ingroups or series that extend in radial rows from the center of the reel.It will be apparent that fluid is free to flow axially through theflanges B and C and axially of the film which is carried between theflanges of the reel.

The fluid circulating means F that I have provided is adapted to receivefluid, liquid or air, and to evenly distribute it or direct it axiallythrough the flanges B and C of the reel, and axially through the filmcarried thereby. The means F is characterized by a manifold plate whichis carried by the flange B at the lower portion of the reel. The plate60 has inner and outer faces 61 and t 2 and is coextensive with theouter face 28 of the flange B. The faces 28 and 61 of the flange B andplate tl are spaced apart and are parallel with each other defining achamber 63 which is adapted to receive the flow of fluid from the lowerend 19 of the hub A and direct it laterally and radially toward theperiphery of the reel. The periphery of the plate 60 overlies the rimpart 31 of the flange B and is provided with a recess 64 which receivesthe shoulder 32 of the rim.

One or more spacing lugs 65 may be provided to main tain proper spacingbetween the flange B and plate 60 of the means F. The lugs 65 may beformed integrally with the plate 60 to project upwardly therefrom and toengage the face 28 of the flange. It will be apparent that fluidentering the chamber 63 leaves the chamber through the ports 55 in theflange B to enter between 4 adjacent convolutions of the film handled bythe reel. The fluid then progresses axially of the reel to dischargefrom the ports 55 in the flange C.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that l have provideda simple, inexpensive film handling reel which positively and evenlydistributes or circulates fluids over the film handled thereby. With thereel of the present invention inserted in or carried by a suitablecylindrical tank X, it is merely necessary to connect a fluid carryingconduit or hose H to the upper end of the hub A. The hose H may supplyfluid under suitable pressure to the fluid passage within hub A so thatthe fluid is conducted downwardly through the hub and into the chamber63 formed by the fluid circulating means F that I have provided. Thefluid is then directed outwardly and then upwardly through the ports 55to act upon and treat the film which is handled by the reel. The fluidsupplied to the reel and exhausted therefrom through the ports 55' maythen be allowed to rise in the tank X and to overflow therefrom.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upperand lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending throughthe flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifoldplate carried by the lower flange and having a flat bottom spaced fromthe flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passageand directing the fluid under pressure to the ports and verticallythrough the flange.

2. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upperand lower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports extending throughthe flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifoldplate carried by and spaced from the lower flange and defining a chamberin communication with the flow passage and directing the fluid underpressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

3. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof, flanges projecting radially from the upperand lower ends of the hub, the lower flange having a rim projectingaxially therefrom, a plurality of fluid ports extending through theflanges and directing fluid axially of the reel, and a manifold platecarried by the rim and spaced downwardly from the lower flange anddefining a chamber in communication with the flow passage and directingthe fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

4. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof, a flange fixed to the lower end of the huband projecting radially therefrom, a flange slidably carried at theupper end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a plurality offluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially ofthe reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lower fixed flange and Ihaving a flat bottom spaced from the flange and defining a chamber incommunication with the flow passage and directing the fluid underpressure to the ports and vertically through the flange.

5. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof, a flange fixed to the lower end of the huband projecting radially therefrom, a flange slidably carried at theupper end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a plurality offluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axially ofthe reel, and a manifold plate carried by and spaced from the lowerfixed flange and defining a chamber in communication with the flowpassage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports andvertically through the flange.

6. A fluid circulating film handling reel of the character describedincluding, an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressurefrom the upper end thereof and having an outer wall with a longitudinalkey-way therein, a flange with an axially disposed rim and fixed to thelower end of the hub and projecting radially therefrom, a flangeslidably carried on the outer wall of the hub and projecting radiallytherefrom with a part engaged in the keyway, a plurality of fluid portsextending through the flanges and directing fluid axially of the reel,and a manifold plate carried by the rim and spaced from the lower fixedflange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage anddirecting the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically throughthe flange.

7. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom andcylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reelincluding an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub adapted to receivefluid under pressure, flanges projecting radially from the upper andlower ends of the hub, a plurality of fluid ports through the flangesand allowing fluid to flow axially of the reel, and a manifold platecarried by the lower flange and defining a chamber receiving fluid fromthe tubular hub and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports andvertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom saidreel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged withthe circular bottom thereof.

8. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom andcylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reelincluding an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure,flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, aplurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directingfluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the lowerflange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage anddirecting the fluid under pressure to the ports and vertically throughthe flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being receivedwithin the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottomthereof.

9. In combination, a film developing tank having a circular bottom andcylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reelincluding an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure,flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, aplurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directingfluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate carried by and spacedfrom the lower flange and defining a chamber in communication with theflow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to the ports andvertically through the flange in a direction away from the bottom saidreel being received within the side walls of the tank and engaged withthe circular bottom thereof.

10. In combination, a film developing tank having circular bottom andcylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reelincluding an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerWall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure,flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub, aplurality of fluid ports extending through the flanges and directlyfluid axially of the reel, and a manifold plate coextensive with andspaced from the lower flange and defining a chamber in communicationwith the flow passage and directing the fluid under pressure to theports and vertically through the flange in a direction away from thebottom said reel being received within the side walls of the tank andengaged with the circular bottom thereof.

11. In combination, a film developing tank having circular bottom andcylindrical side walls, and a fluid circulating film handling reelincluding an elongate vertically disposed tubular hub having an innerwall defining a flow passage adapted to receive fluid under pressure,flanges projecting radially from the upper and lower ends of the hub,the lower flange having a rim projecting axially therefrom, a pluralityof fluid ports extending through the flanges and directing fluid axiallyof the reel, and a manifold plate carried by the rim and spaced from theflange and defining a chamber in communication with the flow passage anddirecting the fluid under pressure to the port and vertically throughthe flange in a direction away from the bottom said reel being receivedwithin the side walls of the tank and engaged with the circular bottomthereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,615,880 Lucas Feb. 1, 1927 1,807,901 Drew June 2, 1931 2,112,605 PlessMar. 29, 1938 2,212,357 Vanderwalker Aug. 20, 1940 2,298,963 Naylor eta1. Oct. 13, 1942

